Buddhacarita by Ven Asvaghosa - Ancient Buddhist Texts

Buddha-carita, or Life of Buddha - 9
Book I [The Birth of the Holy One]
1. That Arhat is here saluted, who has no counterpart, – who, as
bestowing the supreme happiness, surpasses (Brahman) the Creator, –
who, as driving away darkness, vanquishes the sun, – and, as
dispelling all burning heat, surpasses the beautiful moon.
2. There was a city, the dwelling-place of the great saint Kapila,
having its sides surrounded by the beauty of a lofty broad table-land
as by a line of clouds, and itself, with its high-soaring palaces,
immersed in the sky.
3. By its pure and lofty system of government it, as it were, stole the
splendour of the clouds of Mount Kailāsa, and while it bore the clouds
which came to it through a mistake, it fulfilled the imagination which
had led them thither.
4. In that city, shining with the splendour of gems, darkness like
poverty could find no place; prosperity shone resplendently, as with a
smile, from the joy of dwelling with such surpassingly excellent
citizens.
5. With its festive arbours, its arched gateways and pinnacles, it was
radiant with jewels in every dwelling; and unable to find any other
rival in the world, it could only feel emulation with its own houses.
6. There the sun, even although he had retired, was unable to scorn
the moon-like faces of its women which put the lotuses to shame, and